Paladin FAQ
What subclasses can a Paladin choose?
A Paladin's subclass is called a Sacred Oath and is chosen at 3rd level in the 2014 rules. Major official pre-2024 Fifth Edition options include Oath of Devotion, Ancients, Vengeance, Crown, Conquest, Redemption, Glory, and Watchers, while Oathbreaker is a Dungeon Master's Guide option with a special villainous or fallen-paladin context. Each Oath adds Oath Spells, Channel Divinity, an aura or equivalent feature, and later subclass abilities.
A Paladin's subclass is called a Sacred Oath. The Oath is chosen at 3rd level in the 2014 class progression. Each Oath provides Oath Spells, Channel Divinity options, and subclass features at 7th, 15th, and 20th level. The Oath is both a mechanical specialisation and an important narrative commitment.
Oath of Devotion
Oath of Devotion is the classic holy-knight archetype.
Its features emphasise honor, sacred weapons, protection from supernatural corruption, and radiant holy-warrior imagery.
It is a natural fit for players who want the traditional Paladin identity without a highly specialised theme.
Oath of the Ancients
Oath of the Ancients focuses on preserving life, hope, beauty, and the light of the world.
Its features have strong nature and fey themes.
Its 7th-level aura provides unusual protection against spell damage in the 2014 version.
The Oath works well for a Paladin whose sacred purpose is protective rather than institutional.
Oath of Vengeance
Oath of Vengeance focuses on hunting dangerous enemies.
Its Channel Divinity can create strong single-target pressure, and later features improve pursuit and punishment.
The Oath is particularly effective for a player who wants the Paladin's burst damage focused on one priority enemy.
Oath of the Crown
Oath of the Crown focuses on law, civilisation, loyalty, and protecting others.
Its features support battlefield control and taking responsibility for allies.
It suits knights sworn to rulers, nations, institutions, or ideals of ordered society.
Oath of Conquest
Oath of Conquest focuses on domination, fear, and imposing order through overwhelming force.
Its aura interacts strongly with frightened enemies.
The subclass is more controlling and intimidating than the traditional Devotion Paladin.
Oath of Redemption
Oath of Redemption focuses on peace, patience, and preventing unnecessary violence.
Its features support diplomacy, protection, and punishing aggression without making direct offense the only solution.
The Oath can still fight effectively when peaceful solutions fail.
Oath of Glory
Oath of Glory focuses on heroic achievement, athletic excellence, and legendary deeds.
Its features support mobility, physical performance, and inspiring nearby allies.
It suits a mythic champion or hero seeking greatness through action.
Oath of the Watchers
Oath of the Watchers specialises in defending the mortal world from extraplanar threats.
Its features are especially relevant against creatures and effects associated with other planes.
It also offers strong party support through its aura and Channel Divinity.
Oathbreaker
Oathbreaker is presented in the 2014 Dungeon Master's Guide with a special narrative and DM-facing context.
It represents a Paladin who has broken a sacred oath in pursuit of dark ambition or evil power rather than simply a character who made one ordinary mistake.
Do not present Oathbreaker as an automatically available standard player option.
Campaign and DM approval matter.
How do you choose an Oath?
A simplified comparison is:
Devotion → classic holy knight Ancients → life, hope, nature, magical protection Vengeance → priority-target pursuit and burst pressure Crown → law, loyalty, protection Conquest → fear and battlefield control Redemption→ peace, protection, restrained force Glory → heroic athleticism and inspiration Watchers → extraplanar defense and party support Oathbreaker → special fallen/villainous DMG context
The Oath should match both the intended mechanics and the character's convictions.